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September 2009 MedBytes: Prostate Cancer

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. These resources give you the latest information about treatments for the most common form of cancer in men. In addition, the Web sites here will keep physicians up to date on prostate cancer screening guidelines and research.

American Cancer Society The American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org , has helpful tools physicians can share with patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. From the home page, click on Learn About Cancer, and select Prostate Cancer from the list. You'll be directed to answers to questions about the disease, information about treatment options, and guidance for patients on talking to their family and friends about prostate cancer. Physicians can point patients to the Stories of Hope portion of the Web site, where they can find inspiration and support by reading accounts about other people whose lives have been touched by cancer. The site also features details on clinical trials, finding treatment centers, nutrition for cancer patients, a guide to cancer drugs, and more.

National Prostate Cancer Coalition The National Prostate Cancer Coalition Web site, www.centerwatch.com/ctrc/npcc , is a one-stop source for the latest on clinical trials. Physicians and their patients can register for the e-mail notification service to find out about new prostate cancer clinical trials. The site also features cancer research center profiles, a glossary of research terms, a listing of prostate cancer clinical trials, and basic information about clinical trials. Clicking on the links in the menu will take you away from the National Prostate Cancer Coalition site and connect you with the Project to End Prostate Cancer Web site, www.zerocancer.org . The project site gives you answers to questions about the symptoms, risk factors, screening guidelines, and diagnosis of the disease via the Detection & Prevention Link. The Treatment & Research Link opens a page with resources aimed at making prostate cancer treatment decisions, choosing a treatment option, living with prostate cancer, and dealing with treatment side effects.

MedBytes is a quick look at new, or newly discovered, Web sites of interest to Texas physicians. The column also highlights features of the TMA Web site. If you know of some interesting medical sites or have questions about how to use the TMA Web site, e-mail Crystal Conde. Publication of information about Web sites in this column is not to be considered an endorsement or approval by the Texas Medical Association of the sites or sponsors, or of any products or services involved.